From over 260 entries received in the Racing South Africa Bloodstock Draw, Miranda Hollingsworth's name was drawn by Nigel Leheup, this year's British-based owner/breeder of the winner of the Gr.1 Canon Gold, Diamond Quest. The prize, partly sponsored by South Africa's leading Sales Companies, Bloodstock South Africa and Equimark Equestrian Sales, was a R50 000 Sales voucher offered as part of Racing South Africa's promotion in the Members Lawn Marquee at the Natwest Rowley Mile Racecourse in Newmarket on Friday 13 October.
This formed part of Racing South Africa's week long promotion of the South African horseracing industry to the UK market.
South Africa has become one of the most sought after tourist destinations in the world with many Europeans escaping to their holiday homes during the bleak northern hemisphere winter months. At the official opening of the Trade Mission, Summerhill Stud supremo and racing's greatest ambassador, Mick Goss, reminded guests that for the equivalent of owning a horse in the UK, foreign-based owners could fly business class return, purchase a horse and keep it for a year, stay in five star hotels and still have change left for gifts on the way home! Coupled with world class racing facilities, this is why more and more foreign owners are making South Africa their second or even third, racing home.
Racing South Africa CEO, Peter Gibson, said in his opening address: “The racehorse owner is the horseracing industry's most prized asset. Foreign owners and, in particular British owners, have played no small part in contributing to the current state of health of the South African horseracing industry.”
To acknowledge that, Racing South Africa sponsored the famous Houghton Stakes, a two year old Conditions event run over the Rowley Mile. Proponent, an athletic son of Prix de l' Arc de Triomphe winner, Peintre Celebre, won in the style of a Classic horse for Bjorn Nielson and trainer, Roger Charlton.
Over 25 000 visitors attended the October meeting which was bathed in glorious sunshine for the most part, more in keeping with Africa's famed weather than England in the autumn!
It is estimated that over 600 racing enthusiasts visited the Member's Lawn Marquee on Friday 13 October to enjoy the hospitality at the cheese and wine reception kindly co-sponsored by: Avontuur Estate, Graeme Beck Wines, Investec Bank, L'ormarins Estate and J&B. Throughout the meeting, however, many more visited the smaller trade stand in the Members Courtyard. This was manned by members of the 28 strong South African delegation which included owners, breeders, administrators and trainers such as former British Champion Jockey, Michael Roberts and Joey Ramsden.
Peter Gibson concluded that, “the mission was an outstanding success and our appreciation goes to the British racing public and staff of the Newmarket Racecourse. A return to the UK must be very much part of our forward planning.”